Georgia Blues
143 posts
Feb 12, 2015
5:52 AM
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OK, I'm playing through a billm well modded Bjr and a variety of vintage mics. In all cases I am getting feedback sooner than I would expect. It is better since the mods but still an issue. I use a harp Lone Wolf shield but don't really like it. Would swapping the speaker improve things? I'm thinking of dropping in a Swamp Thang.
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shakeylee
89 posts
Feb 12, 2015
6:33 AM
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can you get your band to play quieter?
could possibly be the way you are cupping or being close to the speaker.
before you go and get a kinder or squeal killer,you could try swapping some pre-amp tubes.next step could try a noise gate.
i don't see how swapping the speaker would change much.
good luck!!
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hvyj
2628 posts
Feb 12, 2015
8:02 AM
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The Fender BJ is a high gain amp--great for guitar, problematic for harp. When I had one feedback was a persistent problem. I solved the problem by selling it and getting a Princeton Reverb Reissue.
But, if you want to swap out preamp tubes that will help. This configuration is effective: AX7/ECC81 AT7/ECC832 DW7/ECC83. And leave the FAT switch off.
Last Edited by hvyj on Feb 12, 2015 8:22 AM
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dougharps
845 posts
Feb 12, 2015
9:33 AM
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This is all just my opinion based on my experiences. Others may have equally valid opinions that are useful. In the end, it is finding what works for you in your situation.
Tube swaps can help tame the amp, but they can do OK stock, too. Before swapping, try some of the below suggestions.
First of all, just in case, do not use the FAT channel. This was in hvyj's post, and it is worth repeating. This is probably not the issue for you, but it needs to be emphasized. Use the regular channel. The FAT channel is OK for low volume distortion in your bedroom, but it will surely feed back at higher volumes.
When starting out, don't max the bass, just turn it up a little, 3 o'clock max. Don't turn the highs all the way down, just cut some, 9 o'clock minimum. Start with NO reverb.
Different mics have different susceptibility to feedback. I usually can get the most volume out of my amps with a SM585AV, but my biscuit with a 520 element can get close. I have successfully used other mics to get good volume out of amps. Pick the mic that gives you the most VOLUME without feedback, not necessarily the highest setting on the knob.
Ultimately there is a limit to what you can get out of an amp before feedback becomes an issue.
The placement of the amp and where you stand can make a difference. Try standing next to it, try standing in front of it and blocking the sound from the mic with your body. Try tilting the amp back, try putting it on a chair. You may already be louder than you think, but the sound is on your ankles, and you are just pushing it too hard in order to hear.
The room will make a difference. Is there a hard surface close behind you on stage that will reflect the sound off the wall? This all comes into play in any venue.
The question about a quieter band on stage is on target. However, I have used a Blues Junior with one of Greg's wooden bullets with a LOUD band (when sitting in) and the sound was massive, with no issue of guitars drowning it out.
The owner of the rig is a solid player, but he had been struggling with feedback at the gig through the same rig, same amp settings. In the end, a lot of it is your own acoustic tone and resonance, and your cupping technique.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on Feb 12, 2015 10:00 AM
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barbequebob
2834 posts
Feb 12, 2015
10:40 AM
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Dougharps has the real answer, often the one most players don't want to hear. On the gear side with these amps, the first thing you HAVE to do is to make sure that the FAT switch is TURNED OFF because the gain gets heavily increased and no matter what the volume you're playing at, turning the fat switch on makes the amp an automatic feedback nightmare. The Fender Vibro King has this very same thing happening and this is fine for guitar but NOT for harp EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On the other hand, it's time for you to be the alpha male and grow a pair and SEIZE CONTROL of the band's volume and dynamics.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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markdc70
156 posts
Feb 12, 2015
8:05 PM
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The Blues Junior has never been considered a friendly amp for harp. There is a guy over on the Lone Wolf forums that fiddles with amps a lot and has the following mod suggestions for the Blues Junior:
I cut the C3 bright cap.
Cut the R6. That give better fidelity
R1 4,7M.
R2 68K.
R 49 22K.
I solder in 20K pot in serie with the 22K Bias resistor ( R52 ). I adjust the voltage from -10 volts to - 12,5 Volts.
R27 56K
This is where i stop. An the tubes is V1 12AU7, V2 12AY and V3 is a atock 12AX7
It is a huge improvement from the stock BJR. But it is not the best amp i heard..
Last Edited by markdc70 on Feb 12, 2015 8:06 PM
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Barley Nectar
646 posts
Feb 12, 2015
8:29 PM
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Aren't the Bill M mods for guitar? You play harmonica, right? Go with everything above and DO NOT stand in Front of your amp, like guitar guys do! I never played a BJ but I was at a pro gig with a fellow that did. (Jill West and the Blues Attack) Amp was stock, excellent tone, no feedback. Great show...BN
Last Edited by Barley Nectar on Feb 12, 2015 8:34 PM
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SuperBee
2399 posts
Feb 12, 2015
11:16 PM
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a speaker swap could help 'sort of', if its a less sensitive speaker than you have now. might give you some more sweep on the VC ...might give you a little more control which may actually mean that it can run a bit louder generally...but its unlikely to be the solution youre looking for. noise gate...well, the shield is a noise gate...its ok if your problem is feedback when you aren't actively playing. your billm mods i don't know, mods above look OK. bottom line though, i cant personally cite any experience with it...like hvyj i'm a PR fan for fender amps of that range
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dougharps
851 posts
Feb 13, 2015
7:22 AM
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I have played through Blues Juniors and an original Princeton Reverb. The PR wins by far as a harp amp.
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Doug S.
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hvyj
2631 posts
Feb 17, 2015
6:06 PM
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"On the other hand, it's time for you to be the alpha male and grow a pair and SEIZE CONTROL of the band's volume and dynamics."
Yes, but this does not always mean turning down. Been playing a few gigs with a LOUD funk rock blues guitar player with a Marshall half stack, gated drums with a 6 string electric bass. The guitar player is a very musical detail oriented band leader and wants LOUD. But there are dynamics and a lot of rhythmic breaks. Very intense and high energy. Sometimes as one tune riffs into another a set turns into the equivalent of one long tune. The band is so high energy that sometimes there's 2 drummers working in shifts alternating sets.
Loud is an important part of this band's aesthetics, and what they do would not work as well without the volume. Pretty intense gig. All of the musicians have to watch the bandleader constantly for cues.
I had to buy a Squeal Killer to be able to function with these guys. Put it between the mic and the pedal board (NOT between the pedalboard and the amp) and it works GREAT. Besides controlling feedback, it makes my amp sound more "muscular' for lack of a better word.
Last Edited by hvyj on Feb 17, 2015 7:02 PM
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9000
215 posts
Feb 17, 2015
6:16 PM
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hwj, what amp are you using with your pedalboard?
I really like what the Squeal Killer can do tone-wise.
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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hvyj
2632 posts
Feb 17, 2015
6:29 PM
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Usually my Fender Super Reverb Reissue 4x10 but occasionally my new Peavey Delta Blues 1x15.
Most of the time I just stay out of the guitar player's way, but he likes what i do with the pedals and encourages me to use them, so I play some fills. I suspect my presence is mostly to take solos so the guitar player (who also does all the singing) can lay back and catch a break every now and then during a set.
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Popculture Chameleon
33 posts
Feb 18, 2015
8:29 AM
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From what I have seen in YouTube videos Lone Wolf Blues makes a pedal called Harp Shield that is specifically designed to cut feedback and it is made for harmonica. Jason Ricci's YouTube video on his pedal board actually talks about this pedal and gives a demonstration with his wireless mic.
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Greg Heumann
2946 posts
Feb 18, 2015
8:41 AM
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Harp Shield won't help in this case. Squeal Killer or Anti-Feedback + will help.
Reduce the gain of your amp with tube subs. My recipe is different than above. Replace tubes V2 and V3 with 12AU7's.
But ultimately recognize that the amp is only so loud. If you can't get it to where you can hear it without feedback, you might just need a bigger amp.
Read all about it at http://blowsmeaway.com/all about harmonica microphones.pdf
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***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
See my Customer Mics album on Facebook
Bluestate on iTunes
Last Edited by Greg Heumann on Feb 18, 2015 8:42 AM
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